HELP! What time of year would you choose?

[hygienejean]

My family(me, DH, DS (4) and DD (2) ) and my parents plus my sister's family(DS,DBIL,DN &DN (both will be 5) are doing to WDW next year...2004. My sister is a teacher so it is limiting us to going during a vacation or at least when she has a holiday. these are our choices:

1. Last week to week 1/2 in August before school starts. The upside here is that the crowds won't be bad...the downside is the humidity and heat...(or is that a downside??)

2. the week of Columbus day in October. Heat will be manageable but will the crowds be too much...I hate waiting in lines

3. the week of Veteran's Day. I have no idea about the temperaures or the crowds during this week....Help!

thank you all for your insight! Greatly appreciated!

 

[Micca]

I voted February. When you go around holidays you are setting yourself up for larger crowds. Also, the weather is pretty good around that time. Park hours are shorter, but you can do more in less time.

 

[sue Z]

None of the above We go in March!!!

 

[mickeysaver]

Originally, we had planned to go back to WDW in February of 2004. My honey and I just couldn't bear the thought of waiting the extra couple of months, so we tweaked our finances and found a way to make it down in December. We most likely will go back in 2006. Since we have wedding plans in Canada next year, we won't be going to WDW. But, by the end of 2005, there will be some new attractions in place and we will be ready to get there ASAP, so I imagine we will be there in February of 2006. I like the cold. I have never been a heat lover. So, low crowds and the cooler temps makes February really attractive to us. Mickey

 

[4greatboys]

I voted Feb. If you go in the beginning crowds will be low and it will be cool to cold. In late Aug low crowds but it will be soooo hot
atleast in the cold you can add layers of clothing. In the heat if you remove to much you will get a nasty sunburn or arrested

 

[BarbaraMB]

When someone goes in the winter when the parks close early, it gets dark early and it is on the chilly side for swimming in the pool, what does everyone do after 7 pm? Kind of early to go to bed!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by BarbaraMB
When someone goes in the winter when the parks close early, it gets dark early and it is on the chilly side for swimming in the pool, what does everyone do after 7 pm? Kind of early to go to bed!

We always go off-season when your description is pretty much on target. After the parks close, we shop and snack at Downtown Disney, go hotel hopping, go to Old Town, Belz Factory Outlet, Celebration, food shopping if we're low on supplies.
Also, having a 7 yo DD, we're usually back at our hotel fairly early to get her to sleep at a decent hour. She's not a night owl. If we keep her up too late, we all regret it the next day. Plus, DW and I are usually exhausted anyway. We put our daughter to bed, then we will usually have a snack, check e-mail and hit the sack.

Steve

 

[Msslaydbug]

We went last year the last week in August and although it was VERY hot it wasn't too busy and we had a good time. This time we are going the first week in Sept - hopefully we will enjoy ourselves again without it being too crowded